PLDT, Smart partner with SM Group for sustainability program

Coming together for a sustainability partnership are (from left) PLDT Home Ambassador Denise Laurel, Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart Melissa Vergel De Dios; Senior Vice President (SVP) and head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart Alex Caeg; Senior Vice President and head of Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; SVP and head of Sales and Distribution at PLDT and Smart John Palanca; Vice President of Corporate Compliance Group Liza Silerio and Vice President for Sponsorship at Cyberzone Marketing and Operations Patrick Raymund Pacla. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LEADING integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) ramp up their sustainability initiatives nationwide by teaming up with the SM Group through the SM Electronic Waste Collection Program. Under this partnership, PLDT and Smart will be deploying e-waste collection drop boxes in all existing 85 SM malls nationwide to encourage Filipinos to recycle their e-waste and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Through this partnership, the public can dispose of e-waste in designated e-waste drop boxes, located in SM Cyberzone and in strategic areas of all existing and upcoming SM Malls across the country. Made from used beverage cartons and recycled materials, these e-waste drop boxes will accept old and broken mobile phones, laptops, tablets, routers, chargers, cords, among others. Collected e-waste will then be turned over to an accredited e-waste treatment, storage and disposal facility for proper handling.

PLDT and Smart have earlier partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, City Government of Baguio and EcoWaste Coalition to bolster localized efforts on proper e-waste management as well as support community-based campaigns to recover e-waste from households and consumers.

This initiative aligns with the PLDT Group’s support to the government’s goal of narrowing the digital divide, bringing the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country, and promoting a circular economy.